34 CLASSNOTES
1940s ’46 RH Mary Tappin writes, “I am happy to say
TOP Members of Rosemary Hall
CENTER Jack Staub ’45 celebrat-
class of 1950 celebrate their 65th Reunion in Greenwich. From left, Janet McKallor Beck, Mak Krotzer, Marilyn Muir Pfaltz, Nancy Evans Burns, and Marian Fox Burros
ing his 88th year with his six children. From left, Nick Staub, Sharon Doty, Jack Staub ’69, Jack Staub ’45, Nancy Laughlin, Harriet Huston, Todd Staub ’70 BOTTOM Choate Class of 1950
that I’m now living in Wallingford in a retirement community that was highly recommended to me after the death of my second husband in November, 2014, in Tucson, where I had lived for 25 years. The move to Wallingford was perfect for me, as I now have a granddaughter, Esul Burton ’16, at Choate. How delighted I am that my granddaughter now is experiencing the extraordinary experience and high standards of this School, which I experienced along with my twin sister when we attended Rosemary Hall in Greenwich.”
’47 C
Walter Blass writes, “I had my aortic valve replaced in August. In a procedure the FDA calls experimental, they snake a compressed new valve up the femoral artery. Surgeon and cardiologist expressed satisfaction, and I have regained much of my previous energy. I met classmate Igor Sikorsky for lunch as we do several times a year. Going back to six countries in Europe in April.”
1950s ’50 C
Lee Clegg writes, “Three of us from the Class of 1950 – Fritz Trapnell, Tom Ryan, and myself – attended our 65th Reunion last May. We have remained close over those years and had a grand time that weekend.”
’50 RH Marlee Turner writes, “I am in Texas for winter with family and friends. Last summer, I had a fine season with my Northern Pines B-and-B. Guests came from the UK, Germany, France, India, Kentucky, Virginia, and Berkeley. Canoe, kayak, fishing, swimming, loons all were enjoyed. Lots of life graces.”
’51 C
Hedrick Smith writes, “With the nation in some political turmoil over the lopsided inequalities in the U.S. economy and the dominance of billionaires and corporations as campaign mega-donors, I launched a website last spring (www.reclaimtheamericandream. org) to provide information on movements for political and economic reforms, with the hope that getting more information out to concerned citizens might encourage more people to get involved in grass roots civic action. The viewer interest has been great.”
’51 RH Diane French Schofield celebrated her 82nd birthday in November. She reports, “I am still going, but not as strongly, haven’t played golf or tennis in over a year. Love being in Vero Beach in the winters and New Hampshire in the summer. It’s such fun reading news about old classmates, so I hope everyone writes!”
’52 C
Art Gibbs writes, “I coached my last high school tennis match for both boys and girls. In August, I pretty much retired from playing tennis and started playing pickleball. I now teach and play pickleball six days a week. It is a great game for senior citizens.”
’53 C
Woody Laikind writes, “Bob Lindeman lives in Sarasota, Fla., where he still is active as a real estate agent. He plays an occasional game of golf with me; I winter on Longboat Key. With Arne Carlson, we all had dinner together. If there are any other Choaties in the area, please let me know at Jlaikind@gmail.com, and I will organize a dinner. Wintering on the east coast of Florida are Brad Tips, Tony Cowen, and Crosby Smith. Charlie Ard is alone in Riverside, Calif., and wishes somebody would visit him. Bob Leinbach is in Boston, still saving lives as a cardiologist at Harvard. Bruce Hilton splits his time between Charlotte, N.C. and Barcelona, Spain. Hank Doebler passed away in 2014. Charlie Ard is in touch with his widow, Joyce.”
’54 RH Pat Sweet writes, “I continue my work lobbying for charter schools in Connecticut. It astounds me that anyone has to lobby for good schools for our urban students, most of whom live below the poverty level and are predominantly Black and Hispanic. I have gone on the board of Amistad Academy in New Haven, which is the flagship school for the 30 schools developed and managed by Achievement First, where I worked for 10 wonderful years. Amistad’s high school was rated by U.S. News and World Report as the second best high school in all of Connecticut, based on number of students taking and passing AP courses, SAT’s and college acceptances. I am happy to announce that there is a lot of Choate involvement with our Achievement First charter schools, where Choate trustees, former trustees, and Choate parents serve on our various charter school boards. My fiancée Bill Marsh and I have spent a lot of time traveling and just returned from a glorious month in France before the horrific attacks on Paris. My kids are well. Holly and her husband Robert are renovating an historic home in Stonington Connecticut, where sailing is the big draw. My son David and his wife Lisa are building a house near the water in Exeter, New Hampshire. All six grandchildren are thriving, (two now in college, and three headed for college next fall). Bill and I will spend several months in Naples, Florida this winter before the legislative session begins in February. I look forward to biking, walking and swimming every day.